Fall is truly in full swing here at school. Today many of us had to scrape ice from our windshields, and children were delivered to school bundled up in scarves and caps. Children enjoy this change of season; they revel in piles of leaves, hot chocolate and popcorn evenings at home, and in seasonal celebrations of light and family. I hope that you are taking time to enjoy your children’s enthusiasm during this time of the year; the Garfield staff certainly is!
We are wrapping up the first trimester this week. Students have been asked to show what they know through formal assessments in mathematics, writing, and reading. Teachers also have asked students to participate in partner-pairs and in small and large group discussions of grade level content, and to more actively participate in their own learning. We have noticed that some of our students have more experience than others in the art of taking part in a discussion. You can help by regularly involving your student in age-appropriate discussions at home. An age-appropriate discussion for a first grader might be to talk about what the family should do together on Saturday morning (go to the park or go see Grandpa and Grandma, etc.). Parents might want to discuss a book, or a movie that the family has all experienced, or a trip that the family is planning. The important part is that each child has the opportunity to practice talking about a specific topic, to take turns listening and speaking, and to respond appropriately to something someone else has said. We want our students to be able to state an opinion and to agree or disagree with someone else in a polite way. If a student can refer to something they have experienced or something they have learned or studied to support their opinion, that would be great!
Please accept my best wishes for a wonderful week off, November 23-27. Please note that there is no school on Friday, November 20, either, as elementary school teachers have a work day.
Upcoming School Events
School Site Council: November 17 at 3:15 p.m. in Room 2
No School due to Teacher Work Day: November 20 (Elementary only)
School Vacation: Monday,November 23 – Friday, November 27, 2009
Parent Teacher Conferences December 7-11: Minimum Day Dismissal 11:45 Grades 1-6, and 11:50 Kindergarten
December Food Drive: Help our community by sending in canned and boxed foods!
Saturday, December 12: Holiday Breakfast, the Book Fair, and Excel Photography taking Family Portraits by appointment (A Flyer will be sent home)
School Site Council Meeting on December 15 at 3:15 p.m. Room 2
December 18: STAR Student Recognition Assemblies for November and December
Consolidation-related Meetings:
November 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the Board Room, Formal Presentation of Proposal to Board
Dec.1FT & F Committee in the Board Room at 7:00 p.m.
Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the Board Room. Final Decision to be made by SJUSD Board of Education
November10, 2009
Thank you to all of the family members who attended last Friday’s Student Recognition Assemblies. It means a lot to your children when you make time to attend their events. If your child will be recognized at one of these assemblies, the teacher will notify you in advance so that you can make arrangements to attend. I know that once in a while, a parent finds out after the fact. I apologize for that; it is our intention to provide you plenty of advance notice.
I also thank those parents who help your child(ren) to do his/her best today, at this moment, rather than worrying about what has happened in the past, or what may happen in the future. The beauty of this approach is that you can reinforce your child for positive choices and responsible actions s/he makes each day. I honestly believe that this helps children to become self-confident. They realize that each day is a series of choices, and that they have the power to choose how they will act or react in any given situation.
Finally, thank you to all of the drivers drive carefully in the front drop-off circle. This morning, I witnessed three cars in succession whipping through the parking lot. I also witnessed a day care van that failed to stop for a dad and his child who were crossing to the sidewalk from the 10-minute parking area. I sometimes find myself falling into the trap of generalizing when thinking about the driving situation out front; the truth is that the vast majority of drivers are careful and cautious. Thank you!
Open Enrollment Clarification
Last week we included a flyer about Open Enrollment with our Parent Newsletter. Open Enrollment information is being distributed district-wide.We understand that many of you may be a little confused about Open Enrollment at this point. I want to address some questions that parents are asking the front office staff.
When will we know whether or not we have to send our children to a different school next year?
The School Board will make a decision about Garfield consolidation on December 8, 2009. You will know by December 9, 2009 for students in grades K-5. You already know that all 6th graders will attend a different school next year. Parents of students entering grade 7 will want to think about which school might best meet the needs of their child. Some of the options for grade 7 students are K-8 schools, 6-8 schools, and 7-8 schools.
Do I need to send in my Open Enrollment Transfer Application as soon as possible?
No. All applications submitted during the window (Nov.16-Jan. 29) will have an equal chance of being chosen through a computer-generated lottery.
If Garfield is consolidated, how will I know which school my child is assigned to attend as his new neighborhood school?
The school district will notify you by mail during the Open Enrollment window. That way, it you do not want your child to attend the assigned school, you can participate in the Open Enrollment process. Please note that the School Board has not yet made a decision about Garfield.
How can I learn more about other San Juan schools?
You can read about other school programs on the district web site www.sanjuan.edu/schools. You can also visit other schools and/or attend
Information meets. We have attached a list of the most recent schedule of visits and informational meetings.
Upcoming School Events
PTC Meeting: November 10, at 5:30 p.m. in Room 2
Veterans’ Day Holiday: November 11No School
Earl J. Koobs Memorial Event for Veterans’ Day: Colors at 11:00 a.m.
School Site Council: November 17 at 3:15 p.m. in Room 2
No School due to Teacher Work Day: November 20 (Elementary only)
School Vacation: Monday,November 23 – Friday, November 27, 2009
Parent Teacher Conferences December 7-11: Minimum Day Dismissal 11:40 Grades 1-6, and 11:50 Kindergarten
December Food Drive: Help our community by sending in canned and boxed foods!
Saturday, December 12: Holiday Breakfast, the Book Fair, and Excel Photography taking Family Portraits by appointment (A Flyer will be sent home)
School Site Council Meeting on December 15 at 3:15 p.m. Room 2
December 18: STAR Student Recognition Assemblies for November and December
Consolidation-related Meetings:
School Consolidation on November 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the Board Room *Proposal will be presented to SJUSD Board, limited opportunity for feedback by sign-up, maximum is 10 people at 2 minutes each.
Additional School Consolidation Proposal to FT & F Committee in the Board Room at 7:00 p.m.
*Staff will make a final recommendation to the FT & F Committee. The public may comment at the end of the meeting, with a limit of 2 minutes per person.
School Consolidation on December 8 at 6:30 p.m. in. Board Room. The decision on Consolidation is scheduled to be made.
November 3, 2009
Thank you to all of the parents and community members who joined us for last Friday’s Literary Character Parade. The Staff theme was Fairy Tales, so it was fitting that Mrs. Fuller led the parade as a Fairy Godmother. We are not sure which fairy tale included the pink gorilla, but we are sure that Mrs. Eaton-Poarch’s P.E. students enjoyed every minute of her transformation.
I would be remiss if I failed to mention Bridges’ recent “Light’s On” activities. Students entertained us all with a series of entertaining fairy tales. Congratulations to the Bridges students and staff for putting this together so nicely!
Reminder: All visitors must check in at the office. We ask you to sign in upon arrival, and to sign out upon departure. If you wish to visit a classroom, you will need to call or come into the office to make arrangements. If we happen to have a lock down or a fire drill while you are on campus, please follow all staff directives. Thank you for your cooperation.
Upcoming School Events
Star Student Awards:Nov. 6, Friday: 8:45 K-2; 9:45 5/6; PMK and 2/32:30
PTC Meeting: November 10, at 5:30 p.m. in Room 2
School Site Council Meeting: November 17 at 3:15 p.m. in Room 2
Veterans’ Day Holiday: November 11No School
Earl J. Koobs Memorial Event for Veterans’ Day: Colors at 11:00 a.m.
School Site Council: November 17 at 3:15 p.m. in Room 2
No School due to Teacher Work Day: November 20 (Elementary only)
School Vacation: Monday,November 23 – Friday, November 27, 2009
Parent Teacher Conferences December 7-11: Minimum Day Dismissal 11:40 Grades 1-6, and 11:50 Kindergarten
December Food Drive: Help our community by sending in canned and boxed foods!
Saturday, December 12: Holiday Breakfast, the Book Fair, and Excel Photography taking Family Portraits by appointment (A Flyer will be sent home)
School Site Council Meeting on December 15 at 3:15 p.m. Room 2
December 18: STAR Student Recognition Assemblies for November and December
Consolidation-related Meetings:
School Consolidation Presentation to FT & F Committee in the Board Room on Nov. 3 at 7 p.m.
*District staff is presenting the proposal and public feedback to date to this committee. Members of the public may make comments at the end of this meeting. There is no question and answer session for the public.
School Consolidation on November 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the Board Room *Proposal will be presented to SJUSD Board, limited opportunity for feedback by sign-up, maximum is 10 people at 2 minutes each.
Additional School Consolidation Proposal to FT & F Committee in the Board Room at 7:00 p.m.
*Staff will make a final recommendation to the FT & F Committee. The public may comment at the end of the meeting, with a limit of 2 minutes per person.
School Consolidation on December 8 at 6:30 p.m. in. Board Room. Decision on Consolidation to be made.
